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New blog, Same me, More topics

Maybe these few months of silence on this blog led readers to think I've lost my motivation to blog. Not quite true. More like there is so much I want to blog about. Since not they are not all about finances and money I didn't think they fit on this blog.

I've been thinking about this for a little while now and even wrote a few post and now have finally taken the plunge. Here is my new blog - Brown Eyed Girl Diary.

Being me I will still write about my personal finances. Now I can also write about my work, my endeavor to learn how to cook, my travels, my relationships and anything else that takes my fancy without feeling that they don't really belong on the blog. Hope you will still visit :)

Happy Canada Day!

It's been a long absence I know. It's just been hard to sit down and blog. Then when I finally get a chance to sit down, there is so much to catch up on it's hard to pick what to write.

Hope everyone is having a great Canada. I spent it getting some much needed sleep and catching up on chores around the home. We are going to see fireworks later. I've taken tomorrow off as well. Because I need it and I have plenty of vacation time owing. I'm driving to visit Sis for the weekend. She wants me to help her and Bil look at a condo they are interested in investing in. Apparently it's a screaming deal.

I'm not sure about her city but there is definitely an over supply of condos in my city. I've also heard that her city lags mine about 6 months when it comes to real estate so wouldn't it be better to wait? Also, in the last year, they have invested in 2 condos developments already in other cities and they are looking at a cross-country move next summer. I know they are considerably higher income than me but I can't help but think they may be overextending themselves.

Yes, I understand that the idea is to rent out the condos when it comes time to take possession so the rent covers the mortgage, but who knows what the rental market will be like. What will they do with 2 mortgage payments (or 3 if they buy a place in the new city or 4 if they buy this other condo as well) plus expenses in the months the condos may have to be vacant?

They are both smart people so I'm sure they know this. However, I've seen their impulsiveness first hand so I'm not sure how thoroughly they thought about this. For example, one of the condos they bought in a weekend. And when I was looking at places, it happened more than once that Sis wanted to buy the places I looked at for investment before I event decide if it's worth being short listed.

I'm not sure what I will say about this on. However, one thing I've learnt is that so called 'screaming deals' are everywhere. You really need to be selective about which ones to go in on.

Boys pay less

Just the other day I was talking with a girl from work, who says she buys the Clinique moisturizer for men instead of the one for women. It's almost the same (men's being a little bit thicker) but a lot cheaper. Now reading this Consumer Reports article.

From now on, I am going ignore the gender labelling and compare the products and prices instead.

Someone asked if women are become more smart about this price difference and start shopping smart, does this mean a price reduction will eventually follow? Sadly, the answer was that the trends show it's most likely the men's products will increase in price instead.

eharmony

I signed up for eharmony.  It's time I started dating again and after much consideration of my options I picked eharmony.  But sometimes I guess the actual mental commitment to do something gets the ball rolling.  It could be the change in my attitude that signals to others I'm open to dating again.

 

Because as soon as I signed up and paid my dues, I have two people offer to set me up with their friends and met someone at a bar. 

 

I'm currently communicating with a few guys on eharmony.  We haven't met yet.  Then it turns out one of the guys went to the same high school as me.  We had common friends, but never were in the same crowds (it's a huge high school so you can't blame me).  My friends thinks this is hilarious because I could've saved the couple hundred dollars and met this guy through my old high school friends.  Oh well, what can you do.

 

For those single guys and gals out there who also want to try eharmony.  I suggest you go through http://www.greatcanadianrebates.ca/register.php?r=15325.  Because they offer 45% rebate for new members, and coupon code for 20% on a 6 months membership.